SL companies sue woman charged with embezzling from them

Deserae Robar, 33, faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted of the charge of embezzlement of more than $20,000 from the two companies for which she worked: Rapid Flush Inc. and Pit Stop Portable Restroom Service.

She is also charged with uttering and publishing, and forgery, according to court records.

The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Ottawa County Circuit Court, accuses Robar of signing a company official’s name to write checks and “use the business checking account as her own personal piggy bank.”

Robar allegedly used the checks to buy mo-peds, a television, and other household goods and video games. She also allegedly used the checks to pay a car insurance deductible and rental car fees, and to put a down payment on a leased vehicle. The total purchases amounted to more than $33,200.

The lawsuit said the companies’ bank, Macatawa Bank, notified the owners on April 14 that their accounts were overdrawn.

Spring Lake/Ferrysburg Police initiated an investigation and Robar was confronted on April 16, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit says that Robar made a full confession to police on that date.

“It’s not uncommon in embezzlement cases to file a lawsuit, because the standard of proof is lower,” said Robar’s court-appointed defense attorney, Joe Legatz.

Legatz said his client pleaded not guilty at her April 17 arraignment to give them a chance to take a look at the case.

“We’re looking at all the documents and evidence so we can resolve the case properly,” he said.

Robar is free on a $5,000/10 percent bond. Her trial has been set for Aug. 16 before Ottawa County Circuit Judge Jon Hulsing.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Harbor Pointe Inc. of Grand Haven, which operates Rapid Flush; and Tyler J LLC of Grand Haven, which operates Pit Stop. The businesses are located at 510 E. Exchange St. in Spring Lake.

According to the lawsuit, Robar was hired in September 2011 to work as a bookkeeper and accountant for both businesses.